As the people of Fallbrook are aware, our local businesses have been robbed by armed gunmen several times this year. I can see why these criminals continue on because of our amendments to protect law-abiding citizens has been infringed upon.

It is a travesty that we have been disarmed in public. There is no balance of power. Add all the gun laws and bans you want and it changes nothing, but disarms only those who abide by the law.

Our founding fathers knew it was vitally important to ratify our Second Amendment right as follows: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." To "bear" is to "carry" and to be "infringed" is to be "violated." Our given right to carry arms has not only been violated, but taken away.

A quote from one of our earliest patriots, Thomas Paine, says, "[Arms], like laws, discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. The balance of power is the scale of peace. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside. The history of every age and nation establishes these truths and facts need but little arguments when they prove themselves."

As advised by a sergeant in the Village News ["Armed robbers hit three local businesses," 5/31/07], "If you find yourself in a place during a robbery, do what you are told; don’t give them any reasons to hurt you or take it any further; they are after the money." Criminals have free reign. They are armed. We are not.

Shame on the people whose actions led to our loss of freedom.

By the way, I spoke to a security guard around local establishments and asked if he was armed. He responded, "No, ma’am." I left wondering if he was there to be one of the 9-1-1 callers.

Leah Gerten